Covid booster vaccines for over 60s now under way
· RTE.ieThe Health Service Executive is rolling out Covid-19 booster vaccines for those aged 60 and over from today.
It comes as the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said it would "make sense" to extend the booster vaccination programme to the wider population or "any adult who is more than six months after their second dose".
He said the "absolute focus now" is getting people over 60 vaccinated against Covid through their GP, pharmacies and vaccination centres, while consideration is being given to rolling it out to people under 60 with a medical condition.
"My sense, looking at the evidence [is that] I think it will make sense to extend the booster programme to the wider population, any adult who is more than six months after their second dose," Mr Varadkar said.
Meanwhile the HSE has confirmed that, from today, it will be in contact with people aged 60 and over to arrange an appointment to attend a HSE vaccination centre for the booster vaccine.
"People in this group will receive a text message with an appointment for their booster dose and we encourage everyone to avail of the booster dose when it is offered," it said in a statement.
You cannot get a booster vaccine dose at a walk-in clinic.
The booster vaccine roll-out will also continue for other identified cohorts. GPs are offering booster dose appointments to people 70 years and over.
The HSE said it is also safe to get a Covid-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine or other vaccines.